Stage Whispers

Twain mocks art from grave

Almost 100 years after his death, American author and mustached funny man Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) takes a jab at the art scene. Discovered amongst Twain’s papers in 2004 and later adapted into a play, Is He Dead? follows the life of a destitute painter who knows that the only successful artist is a dead one. However, after faking his own death, he ironically discovers that unlike Twain, dead artists do not produce new art. His only chance is to disguise himself as his twin sister, keep creating masterpieces and pray he’s not exposed. Director Brian Hansen and the Adobe Theater (9813 Fourth Street NW) present Twain’s whimsical tale from Sept. 13 to Oct. 6, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. The performance stars newcomer Malcolm Loungway and features Adobe veterans Jennifer Benoit, Adrienne Cox, Teresa Kizziah and others. Don’t miss the play’s New Mexico premiere, complete with music, moving scenery, actors’ asides to the audience and other conventions iconic of 19th-century theater—and the mighty Twain himself. Get your tickets: 898-9222 or adobetheater.org. (Jeremy Shattuck)

Get caught in Illusion

Ready to step into a world of romance, lyricism and illusion? Mother Road ushers in its 2013/2014 season with Tony Kushner's The Illusion. Adapted from Pierre Corneille's 17th century comedy, L’Illusion Comique, the story follows a grieved and dying lawyer, Pridamant, desperate to find the prodigal son he drove out years before. In his searching, he engages the help of Alcandre, a sorcerer who conjures three visions of the son’s post-expulsion life. With each new vision, Pridamant's boy changes, along with the names of his comrades and his devotion to each. While Kushner is widely known for his sociopolitical commentaries such as Angels in America, the more whimsical The Illusion promises a tribute to passion, enchantment and love. The show features a veteran cast and runs through Sept. 29. Showings are Thursday through Sunday at the MTS Center for Theater (6320 Domingo NE, Ste. B) and tickets cost $24 ($15 on Thursdays). For more information visit motherroad.org or call 243-0596. (Rebecca Gonzales)

The adventures of shrunken Shakespeare

Looking to scratch “watch the complete works of Shakespeare” off your bucket list, but unsure how to fit all that theater into your busy schedule? Look no further! Albuquerque Little Theatre (224 San Pasquale SW) is bringing back audience favorite The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), all 37 of the Bard’s plays uproariously presented in less than 100 minutes. Comedies, tragedies and histories all come together in the madcap theatrical mashup that ran for 10 years in London’s West End. Directed by George Williams and featuring the original ALT cast (Scott Bryan, Ryan Jason Cook and Dan Cornish), it’s got everything you’ve come to expect from Shakespeare: Passion! Iambic pentameter! Grown men in tights! This is your last weekend to take it all in, though, so snag your seats now. Showtimes are 7:30pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12, 13 and 14, and 2pm Sunday Sept. 15. Tickets range from $10 to $22. Note: This show is rated PG-13. For more information, call 242-4750 or visit albuquerquelittletheatre.org. (M. Brianna Stallings)